Texas to Colorado Itinerary

- Instead of doing our current plan (BV, Ouray, etc), we could just go straight up to RMNP and spend days there. If could only do one or the other, which would you do?

If I had to make this choice (as I think you do) I would choose your original plan.

Day 2: Drive to Buena Vista (400 miles). Stay 3 nights. Will do white water rafting for sure, some fishing.
Suggestions on campgrounds and other activities in Buena Vista? Looking at KOA or Valley RV

Our two favorite campgrounds around Buena Vista are the Arrowhead RV Park north of town and the KOA out south at Johnson Village. The KOA was our favorite when I was a few years younger because I could hike right out of the campground to do rock climbing all the way up to Midland Hill and then, if I wished, on into the town of Buena Vista. There is a trail from the top down to town but none from the KOA to the top of the hill. I always enjoyed the "trail blazing" and rock scrambling on that climb right out of the KOA.

Day 5: Drive to Ouray (180 miles). Stay 3 nights. Take a jeep tour. Drive back up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Looking at KOA or Ridgeway SP. Other ideas?

We stayed at the Ridgeway State Park in September and enjoyed it. We have also stayed at the Ouray RV park in town. The only reason to do that is the convenience of being right in town. We have never stayed at the KOA so have no idea about that.

Day 8: Drive to Durango (150 miles). Take 145 instead of 550/Million Dollar Highway. Stop at Mesa Verde NP on way.

Here is where I might want an overnight at Mesa Verde to have time to make a good visit to the ruins. There is a nice RV park right across the highway from the entrance to the National Park. The alternative, of course, is to spend several hours visiting Mesa Verde and then driving on for the overnight in Durango.